Mumbai-Style Dahi Puri Chaat Bombs

Indian street food is legendary, and for a reason — some of the best food in the world can be uncovered in food carts parked on busy metropolitan city street corners. Of all the varieties of Indian street food, chaat, a subcategory known for its messy appearance and incredible flavors, stands out. Chaat typically involves a fried dish topped with chutneys and includes plates such as samosa chaat, dahi vada, ragda pattice, and of course, dahi puri chaat bombs.

Dahi puri is named for the two main ingredients: “dahi,” meaning “yogurt,” and “puri,” referring to the crispy hollow shells. The recipe first originated in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, but has spread to all corners of India. These delicious treats are even famous in the U.K., earning the moniker “chaat bombs!” That name is an excellent description — you eat the puri all at once, meaning the flavors quite literally explode in your mouth.

Eating dahi puri is a sensation like no other: Full of surprises and delights.

Let’s talk about those flavors, shall we? The puri is crispy, crunchy, and golden, with a subtly nutty depth from semolina. Inside the puri are soft potatoes, peppered with crunchy sharp onions, fresh herbs, and tangy spice powders. Now the real magic begins: full-bodied fresh and zesty green chutney loaded with fresh mint and coriander is spooned into the shells, followed by perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and spicy tamarind chutney. To finish it off is sweet yogurt, bursts of tart pomegranate, and crispy strands of nylon sev.

Are Dahi Puri Chaat Bombs Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, or Soy-Free?

These dahi puri chaat bombs are vegetarian, nut-free, and soy-free. While they’re already an ideal choice for parties, given how they’re suitable for people with most dietary preferences, the recipe is also easily adaptable to be vegan.

To make this recipe vegan, just replace dairy-based yogurt with your favorite vegan yogurt! Either coconut, soy, or almond yogurt would work well here. Since the yogurt used in dahi puri is typically sweetened with sugar, either plain or unsweetened vegan yogurt is suitable. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any extra additions like fruits.

Unfortunately, dahi puri can’t be easily adapted for gluten-free diets. The puri shells are primarily semolina based.

What Toppings Are Used in Dahi Puri Chaat Bombs? Let’s Talk About It!

Dahi puri (and chaat in general) is all about the toppings. The puri shells and spiced potato filling eaten alone would be delicious, but lacking in any depth or complexity. Once you add on all the different chutneys, sauces, and garnishes though … the recipe transforms into an explosion of flavors.

• Green Coriander Chutney: As the name implies, green chutney is made with fresh herbs — namely, coriander (cilantro) and mint leaves. It has a light, bright, fresh flavor. You can either make your own green chutney or buy it premade at your local Indian store.
• Tamarind Chutney: Tamarind chutney is full of sophisticated flavors. Tamarind itself is sour and tangy, but the balance of seasoning creates a sour, sweet, and sour sauce. Again, it can be homemade or bought premade from the refrigerated section of your local Indian store.
• Sweet Yogurt: The thick, creamy yogurt is whisked with sugar and thinned out with milk or water, then ladled over the puri. It adds a cool, refreshing taste to the chaat that makes it perfect for summer.
• Nylon Sev: Sev are crispy chickpea-flour noodles essential for Indian street food. I highly recommend nylon sev (ultra-thin) for this recipe, but any will do. Making nylon sev at home is a little tricky, but it can be purchased too.
• Pomegranate Arils: Fresh pomegranate is sweet, tart, and juicy. The arils sprinkled over the dish add surprise to each bite and aid in visual appeal.
• Fresh Coriander: What is an Indian dish without fresh coriander (cilantro)? The bright green herb sprinkled on top adds citrusy notes and an essential pop of color.
• Spices: Although we already use spices in the potato filling, a dash of chili powder and chaat masala heightens the flavors so well.

Variations and More Filling Ideas for Dahi Puri Chaat Bombs:

• Kala Chana / Black Chickpeas: Black chickpeas are readily available at Indian grocery stores and offer a nutritious, protein-rich filling. The flavor is deeply nutty and complements the chutneys perfectly. However, you must soak black chickpeas overnight and then cook them before use. This means that you need to plan in advance — unless you can get hold of the tinned/canned version.
• Whole Moong Sprouts: Moong sprouts are a healthy choice, and offer a lighter alternative to potatoes. The mild, slightly bitter flavor of them allows for both raw usage or tempering with spices before adding.
• Chana / White Chickpeas: White chickpeas are widely available and offer many health benefits. Like potatoes, they are very filling. You can even mix the white chickpeas with potatoes.
• Vegan: Make the filling vegan by switching out dairy-based yogurt for soy, coconut, or almond yogurt. Yum!
• Spicy: To make this dish spicier, you can add more green chili to the coriander chutney, add red chili powder to the mashed potato stuffing, or sprinkle over some chili powder before serving.

Can you Cook Puri in the Air Fryer or Microwave?

Yes! Although puri is normally deep-fried, there are multiple alternative cooking options for those of you who prefer to avoid deep-frying. As an added bonus, the methods are healthier, too! Do note that these methods only work with premade dried puri shells. You must deep-fry homemade puri shells.

To air-fry puri, simply rub the puri shells with a neutral oil. Add them to the basket of your air fryer (don’t overcrowd the basket), set the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius (or 356 degrees Fahrenheit), and cook for three minutes. They should emerge from the air-fryer puffy and golden brown.

To microwave puri, once again rub the shells with neutral oil. Place them on a large plate and microwave for 30 seconds. If they don’t puff, microwave for another 30 seconds (a total of one minute). Do note that this method is not as foolproof as the others, but works well for people with limited equipment in the kitchen and is a great time-saving hack.

To bake puri, preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celcius (428 degrees Fahrenheit). Once the oven is hot, add the puri to a baking sheet and bake for around four minutes, or until all the puri have puffed up.

This Recipe Is …

• Ideal for parties, gatherings, potlucks, and special occasions
• Easy to make
• Ready to eat in about 15 minutes
• Perfect finger-food
• Easily adaptable to be vegan-friendly
• Balanced sweet, spicy, and sour flavors

Continue to Content

Mumbai Style Dahi Batata Puri Chaat Bombs

Yield: 20 Dahi Puri

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This easy vegetarian recipe for Dahi Puri is a great choice for evening snacks and parties. It's bursting with unique flavors and textures!

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Ingredients

• 20 Pani Puri Shells*
• Neutral Oil, to fry

For the Potato Stuffing

• 320g Potato (2 Medium-Large Potatoes)
• 30g Onions, finely chopped
• 3 Strands Coriander
• 1/4 tsp Chaat Masala
• 1/4 tsp Cumin Powder
• Sea Salt, to taste

For the Sweet Yogurt

• 300g Full Fat Yoghurt
• 1.5 tsp Sugar
• Water or Milk to thin, if needed

For the Toppings

• 50-100g Tamarind Chutney (to taste — ½ - 1 tsp Chutney per Puri)
• 50-100g Green Coriander Chutney (to taste — ½ - 1 tsp Chutney per Puri)
• Handful Nylon Sev
• Handful Pomegranate Arils
• Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, finely chopped
• ¼ - ½ tsp Red Chili Powder
• ¼ - ½ tsp Chaat Masala

Instructions

1. To make the puri, heat neutral oil in a large, deep-sided kadai or deep-fat fryer to around 180 degrees Celsius, or 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oil comes to temperature, carefully drop puri shells into the oil. They should begin puffing immediately. Cook until golden, then remove with a slotted frying spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Repeat with all puri and then set aside.
   
   Note: You can also air fry readymade puri. Set your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius (or 356 degrees Fahrenheit), rub the puri shells with oil, add them to the basket, and set for three minutes. To microwave the puri, coat it with oil and set the timer for 30 seconds. Cook for another 30 seconds if not fully puffed.
   
2. To make the potato stuffing, peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks. Heat water in a large saucepan until boiling, then add the potato. Cook until knife-tender, then drain and cool. Mash the potatoes and mix them with chopped red onions, fresh coriander, chaat masala, cumin powder, and salt to taste.
3. To make the sweet yogurt, whisk together full-fat yogurt in a bowl with sugar and a little milk or water to thin (if needed).
4. To assemble the dahi puri, crack holes in each of the puris. Add potato stuffing until just under half full. Then top off with green chutney, tamarind chutney, sweet yogurt, pomegranate arils, nylon sev, fresh coriander, and spices (to taste). Eat immediately to avoid the puri getting soggy.

Notes

* You can buy these pre-made and ready to fry, or make your own puri shells.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 11971Total Fat: 256gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 177gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 11530mgCarbohydrates: 2247gFiber: 327gSugar: 824gProtein: 613g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

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